Popperette Heating Element Project

[BrianB]

Joe -

I am in the process of conducting "lifecycle" testing on the element and will be complete sometime this weekend. I have no doubt that it will be a consistant performer. But, I would not even attempt to reproduce an item without testing it first. That wouldn't be fair to anyone. I would hate for my own design to take a big fat dump on me in my own machine! 

All of the physical properties of the new element body are superior to the original as well as the small modification to provide for a more stable fastening surface for the element resistance wire bolts.

I will give an update when complete.

[bebopjoes]

Brian,  I appreciate the update.  After you have completed your testing and everything has performed as it should, I would be interested in a few of them.  Thanks - Joe       Be-bop Joes 

[BrianB]

Joe,

Sounds good.

I will keep all interested parties updated. I will be done testing this weekend.

[BrianB]

All,

Just finished up testing of the heating element and it performed like a champ!

I tested it a variety of different ways. I did what I call endurance testing which was to pop multiple batches in rapid succession to see if the element body would be party to heat sturation induced fractures, it isn't, and also to check the shape retention of the resistance wire. I also let time pass between batches to test the resistance wire's ability to fall back into the grooves after expansion, it passed that with flying colors as well.

My 23 month son was my lab assistant and was responsible for witnessing all testing!

If you are interested in an element please PM me. There is a lead time on these but definitely worth waiting for!

[SIGNGUY]

Great Brian,
thanks for all your work on these.. I know many will appreciate having a backup, in the event one fails..

I bet your son got his fill of popcorn today too!

[Creighton]

That is a great picture. Thanks for keeping parts supplied!!
Creighton

[Larry]

I'm glad the test were succesful! It's nice to have them lab assistance around!!

Now maybe you will have time to paint that stand.

[BrianB]

He really enjoys watching the corn pop. My favorite part is when the cam drops into the cut-out and "explodes" the corn out of the cooking chamber, my boy jump every time!!

Paint it? Nah....I like the *patina*

Seriously, I hope to get to that this Spring.

[90grad]

Very nice job of engineering on the heating element, Brian.  I also love the photo of your son watching.  If I could bubble-caption his head, it would say, "Yeah, I will be the COOLEST kid in pre-K with this!"